The Sloman Experiment
The Sloman Experiment
MAKING CONQUEST
John Lawton wrote the song "I'm Alive" which
includes the lyrics "Go out and make your conquest". The
first Uriah Heep album recorded after John Lawton
left the band was named Conquest. I don't think John meant those
words quite so literally!
SLOMAN JOINS BAND
There is quite a bit of controversy involving the addition
of Sloman as Heep's vocalist. Hensley now says he was against
it, but other members of band don't recall Ken having any objections at
the time. Comments made to the press at the time indicated Ken was happy with the new line-up,
but it could have been a case of presenting
a unified front. There certainly were other
times Ken's comments down the road conflicted with his comments
to the press at the time. After all that is the purpose
of PR. At any rate, John Sloman was a songwriter as well as a
vocalist which the other band members (other than Ken) liked at the time.
IT AIN'T TREVOR!
Despite the credits on the Conquest album, Trevor Bolder is not singing lead vocals on "It
Ain't Easy". Originally Trevor did sing the lead part but late in the sessions Sloman redid the vocals. Unfortunately Trevor was erroneously credited with the vocals. Even Ken Hensley thought Trevor had done the final lead for the song when he was recently asked about it.
CONQUEST ALBUM COVER
The Conquest album cover is a recreation of the famous photo by Joe Rosenthal (Associated
Press) of US Marines, raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima.
Iwo Jima was the site of a key battle in
the Allies' Pacific Campaign.
SONGWRITING SQUABBLES
An issue that had split the band for quite some time was
the songwriting issue. As Gerry Bron said, "The whole problem stemmed from the songwriting and the fact that Ken ended up earning more because he wrote the songs.
It allowed Ken to do so much more; he had his racing team
interests, a big home with built-in studios and
his collection of cars." Since Bron was
the Executive Producer he made the final call on
songs making the album, some of the other band members felt Bron was showing
a bias toward Hensley. Bron responded, "I only ever picked
songs I felt should see light of day." Finally Lee quit the band over
the issue. "I couldn't agree with the management's attitude. As far
as he (Bron) was concerned the only person worth anything was Ken Hensley."
SLOMAN AND HENSLEY AT ODDS
Things were not going well within the band. There was tension between Ken and John Sloman. Some of the conflict stemmed from a struggle for control of the band. Ken had always considered himself the leader of the band and now John had come in with a lot of musical ideas, many of which were worlds away from Heep's historical style. Another major point of contention was the way John interpreted Ken's songs, particularly classic
Heep tunes during concerts. Sloman certainly did present Hensley's songs differently, a fact that Ken
didn't appreciate.
HENSLEY QUITS!
Soon the songwriting issue would come to a head again. Reportedly, when the issue came up a a band meeting in
Bron's office, Ken resigned from Heep. It is also speculated his disgust with
Sloman's interpretation of his songs also played a role in his decision.
DECHERT REPLACES HENSLEY
For the first time ever, Uriah Heep was without it's primary songwriter and inspiration. Although Ken had been a source of conflict at times, he was also a very talented and gifted artist. Once again Heep was in a "do or die" situation. The band replaced Hensley with Canadian Greg Dechert who had worked with Sloman before in the band Pulsar. Soon the band was on the road for a 23 date UK tour playing small venues.